Punjab Minister slams Kejriwal for promise to end red tapism
Darpan News Desk IANS, 14 Oct, 2021 10:59 AM
Chandigarh, Oct 14 (IANS) Punjab Parliamentary Affairs Minister Brahm Mohindra on Thursday hit out at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his promise to end red tapism in the state.
Suggesting Kejriwal to keep himself up to date, the minister said the state government has already executed the Punjab Anti-Red Tape Act of 2021 to promote effective administration of public affairs through simplified and trust-based procedures that shall expedite processes and make governance efficient.
Mohindra had moved the Punjab Anti-Red Tape Bill during the Vidhan Sabha session on March 10, which was passed by the House with a voice vote that enables the government to impose a fine of up to Rs 50,000 or dismiss a government official or other employees for unnecessary delay in providing services to the citizens and businessmen.
The Act came into force after the Governor gave his assent to the Bill on March 26.
"I am sending you (Kejriwal) a copy of the Punjab Anti-Red Tape Act of 2021," said Mohindra, asking Kejriwal to update his records.
Terming the 10 promises made by Kejriwal to traders and businessmen for the development and uplift of industry in Punjab as mere an electoral agenda with blatant lies ahead of the 2022 assembly elections, Mohindra said the Punjab government is committed to facilitating all investments in the state.
Sportspersons performing well in the Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, as well as World Cup tournaments, will be recruited in various departments under the sports quota, following amendment to Rule 3 of the Punjab Recruitment of Sportsmen Rules, 1988, through insertion of Rule 3-A.
After the meeting of Rahul Gandhi with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and T.S. Singh Deo, it is widely expected that the state could see a minor portfolio reshuffle. Singh Deo may be given more importance in the cabinet and it's likely he may be allotted a portfolio soon. Currently he holds the health portfolio.
Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said he will invite Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Punjab Governor V.P. Badnore and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as guests at the special session.
Chidambaram was addressing a press conference at the fag-end of his two-day visit to the state in the capacity as the All India Congress Committee's senior observer in charge of Goa ahead of the 2022 state assembly polls.
Punjab annually generates 20 million tonnes of paddy straw and this is normally set on fire to quickly clear the fields for the next crop, resulting in choking of the National Capital Region (NCR) in October and November.
Priyanka's remarks came after farmers on Tuesday evening vacated the railway tracks and highways in Punjab after the Amarinder Singh government accepted the demands of the sugarcane farmers.
